Learn How to Animate With ‘The LEGO Animation Book’

Ever since the release of The LEGO Movie, I’ve wondered how I could create my own stop-motion videos with my ever-growing LEGO collection. Thanks to the genius minds of David Pagano and David Pickett, I had the opportunity to learn with The LEGO Animation Book. While reading the (extremely) thorough content, I came up with more ideas than I could realistically put into action.

Chapters walk the reader through everything from the anatomy of a mini-figure to post-production for your animation. There’s a surprising amount of technical information for every aspect from light to mini-fig joints, so prepare for a a lot of content. Thankfully, it’s all written under the assumption that you’ve no idea what they’re talking about.

Along the way, I learned some big lessons that are easy to share:

Animating can require a little or a lot of time, depending on how technical you want to get.

You sit in one place for a long time, so get a comfy seat!

It’s easy to obsess.

Taking the correct number of pictures for each scene can be difficult.

It’s better to take too many pictures and not need them all. It’s SUPER hard to re-create a scene you’ve already retired.

Tape is magic. Glue is gold.

Any given piece can do about a billion different things, so experimenting is important.

After my desk was a studio for far longer than my wife was happy with, I had taken all the pictures. I explored a bunch of animation theories as I put my story together. Using the great instructions from the book, I was able to add some post-production effects in and eventually compile a short animation. I hope you enjoy:

The best bit is that The LEGO Animation Book is available on Amazon, and you can get it in plenty of time before Christmas!

Support GeekDad

If you don’t want to create a Patreon account to support GeekDad, you can do so here! You can choose to make your contribution reoccurring or single.

0

Backer

$0.00

raised

Choose An Amount

$ Make this donation

$1.00

For every person who supports us at the $1 a month level, we'll add your name to the patrons list on our blog and give you the thanks you deserve!

$2.50

You are an awesome patron, and you're going above the call of duty. We'll put your name on the patron rolls, and if you drop us your Twitter handle, you'll get a shout-out!

$5.00

You'll be recognized as a Golden Patron, with a special call-out on our siderail, and invitations to any GeekDad events in your area. Drop us your Twitter handle, and we'll send you a shout-out.

$10.00

You are an Associate Publisher on the blog, and get your name specially featured in the Masthead. Send us your Twitter handle and you'll get a huge thanks and a follow!

$20.00

You're a Platinum Patron! You are an amazing supportive person, and we love you! You're name goes on the Masthead, and we'll follow you on Twitter and thank you so much.!

None

About GeekDad

GeekDad® is a parenting, technology, and culture blog staffed by a diverse team of contributors, working together to inform, educate, and entertain parents everywhere who have a geeky nature and want to raise their kids the same way.